It can often feel like cars are little more than machines that eat money. Regardless of how long we drive them or the condition we struggle to keep them in, it seems like it's impossible to keep your car's value from plummeting. Fortunately, despite more pessimistic wisdom, there are steps you can take to improve the value of your car. Whether you're looking to trade in your car or you simply take pride in having a cared-for ride, here are some simple tips to influence your car's value in the right direction.

Cleanliness matters
It's not enough for your car to feel good, to get the most out of the value calculation it's got to look good too. Conventional folksy wisdom aside, when it comes to cars, it's not just what's on the inside that counts. In fact, as Kelley Blue Book told MSN Autos, when people are looking to buy a car, looks are one of the chief considerations. Fortunately, keeping up your car's appearance is one of the simplest things you can do, and you don't even have to leave your own driveway. 

In addition to giving your car a thorough wash and wax, make sure to take care of little things you may usually miss: give your headlights a good scrubbing, vacuum the interior, clean the floor mats and polish your hubcaps. Even if your car has some years behind it, keeping it looking like new will go a ways in adding to its value.

The devil is in the details
To go all the way to maximize what your car is worth, there are a host of small tasks you can do. From minor maintenance minutiae to ancillary administrative affairs, you'll want to go over your car with a fine-toothed comb. CNN touted the benefit of taking care of those little peccadilloes you may have let slip, such as changing burnt-out headlights and addressing those pesky dashboard lights that have been glaring at you for months. Similarly, take the opportunity to get all your ownership papers in order, including an ownership history report from somewhere such as Carfax. If potential buyers see that you've got a handle even on the little things, it will reflect well on the overall state of the car.

If you're looking to buy a used car, head into NJ State Auto Auction. You'll find hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot, as well as an in-house finance department that can help you to afford the used car, truck or van that's right for you.